Device for atomizing liquid



Jan. 22, 1957 Filed June 19, 1953 H. J. GOODYER DEVICE FOR ATOMIZING LIQUID 2 Sheets-Sheet l HAROLD J. GOODYER ATTOKNEX H. J. GOODYER DEVICE FOR ATOMIZING LIQUID,

Jan. 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 Filed June 19, 1953 FIG. 6

INVENTOR.

HAROLD J. GOODYER FIG. 5

United States Patent F DEVICE FoR ATOMIZING LIQUID Harold J. Goodyer, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Air Conversion Research Corp., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application June 19, 1953, Serial No. 362,886

9 Claims. (Cl. 261-63) This invention relates to devices for atomizing liquids and more particularly to devices utilizing compressed air or other gas to feed a lubricant and/or coolant liquid in atomized form to a tool cutting, grinding or other machining operation. The device is also useful for feeding small quantities of lubricant to air operated tools.

One object of my invention is to provide an atomizing device of simple construction which is capable of feed ing a regulatable amount of lubricant or coolant in the gas stream.

Another object of my invention is to provide an atomizer of such construction as to provide for substantially constant ratio of lubricant and/ or coolant liquid to gas in the atomized stream.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel construction for fastening the head and bowl portion of an atomizer together in leak-proof relationship, which enables the two portions to be readily assembled and separated.

Other objects of the invention will manifest themselves from a study of the following description and accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of one form of atomizer constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-section taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is another modification of my novel atomizer shown in partial vertical cross-section;

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of still another modification of the invention;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a modified construction for fastening the bowl to the cap of the atomizer; and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical view partly in crosssection of a still further modification of the atomizer.

The numeral 1 indicates a head or cap portion and the numeral 3 indicates a bowl. The cap portion may be made of metal such as brass or magnesium or a suitable tough plastic material such as Teflon (polymeric tetrafluorethylene), which can be machined. The head portion is provided with a threaded inlet 5 and a threaded outlet 7 directly opposite each other. The inlet 5 and outlet 7 connect with the hollow space 9 so as to form a substantially straight through passageway in the cap. The cap is formed with a downwardly extending cylindrical wall 11 having an inwardly extending horizontal flange 13 at the top thereof and a shoulder 15 adjacent the bottom thereof, forming a chamber 18 therebetween. A closed top, open bottom cylinder 17 is mounted in the space 9 intermediate the inlet 5 and outlet 7 and directly in' line therewith. The lower end of the cylinder 17 is formed with an outwardly extending horizontal flange 19 which fits against the underside of flange 13.

2,778,619 Patented Jan. 22, 1957 2 The cylinder 17 is fastened to flange 13 by screws passing through holes in flange 19 and screwed into threaded recesses tapped in flange 13. The portion 21 of the outside wall of cylinder 17 has a circumference substantially identical with that of the passageway formed by flange 13 so that the cylinder fits snugly in the flange. A small passageway 23 is formed in flange 13 to establish communication between chamber 18 and space 9 adjacent the outlet 7. The passageway 23 may be drilled through the flange 13 as shown at 23 in Figures 3 and 5 or may consist of a threaded plug 25 with a hole drilled therethrough as shown in Figure 1. The latter construction gives the device greater flexibility since plugs with different size passageways may be inserted depending on the quantity of liquid to be fed to the working locus. The cap is formed with an opening 27 adapted to be closed by a threaded plug (not shown). The atomizer is filled with liquid through this opening. The opening 27 corresponds to opening 34 shown in Patent No. 2,613,067. Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a horizontal tubular element 29, one end 31 of which is threaded into the wall of cylinder 17 and the other end 33 of which extends into inlet 5. The element 29 iscentered on the same axis as inlet 5 and furnishes air communication between inlet 5 and the inside of cylinder 17. A circular air retainer or valve plate 35 is slidably mounted on tubular element 29 and is held in closed position as shown in Figure 1 by a low tension coil spring 37, one end of which abuts against plate 35 and the other end of which abuts against spring positioner 38. The circumference of plate 35 is slightly greater than that of inlet 5. The end 33 of element 29 is preferably hexagon-shaped in order to afiord means for applying a wrench thereto. It also forms a stop for plate 35 when in closed position.

An air volume adjustment screw 39 is threaded into a hole tapped in the wall of cylinder 17, directly opposite the end 31 of element 29. The outer end of screw 39 is formed with a kerf to enable a screw driver to be applied thereto. When the inner tapered end of screw 39 is screwed in against the bevelled end 31 of element 29, passage of air into cylinder 17 is entirely cut off and all the air is by-passed directly to the outlet through space 9. By screwing screw 39 outwardly, air is allowed to pass into cylinder 17 and then through the Venturi tube 41 which is vertically threaded into the bottom end of cylinder 17. A Syphon tube 43 extends from the bottom of'the inside of bowl 3 to the outlet side of the Venturi tube in order to draw lubricant, coolant or other liquid into the stream of air passing through the Venturi and atomize it. The air containing the atomized liquid impinges on a horizontal baflle 44 mounted at the bottom of cap 1 in the opening formed by flange 15. This baffle has openings similar to those shown in baflle plate 10 of Patent 2,613,067 to permit liquid to drain into the bowl. Air containing atomized liquid passes through passageway 23, space 9 and outlet 7 to a line adapted to be threaded into outlet 7 and thence conducted to the work locus. By placing adjustment screw 39 inside the cap, the adjustment can be set and tampering therewith prevented after the atomizer is placed in the air line.

By placing the air retainer or valve plate on the air inlet side, more positive and accurate proportioning of the air flowing through the by-pass and the Venturi is obtained than is possible with valve control on the outlet side of the Venturiand hence it is possible to keep the ratio of atomized liquid to air substantially constant regardless of the volume or pressure of air, within the 0 design limits of the atomizer, fed to the atomizer. It

farther until it reaches completely opened position as shown in Figure 2. The device shown in Figures 1 and 2 is capable of handling a much wider volume range of air than that shown and described in my Patent No. 2,613,067.

Referring now particularly to Figures 3 and 4, the atomizer is equipped with a direct syphon. Instead of threading a tubular element into the cylinder 17, a Venturi tube 45 is threaded into the cylinder so that a portion of the air fed into the inlet passes directly through the Venturi. A straight syphon tube 43 communicates with the Venturi on the outlet side of the Venturi throat. The syphon -tube-43' passes through a hole bored in flange 19'. The spring 37 abuts against valve plate 35 at one end and against a spring retainer ring 47 at the other. The ring 47 fits loosely around the Venturi tube and accommodates syphon tube 43'. The adjustable plug 39 has a tapered inner end adapted to match the outlet end of the Venturi tube and to completely close ofi syphon tube 43 when screwed inwardly against the Venturi. 'The plug 39' has an axial passageway 49 thereth'rough. The diameter of passageway 49 is substantially the same as that of the Venturi throat except adjacent its outer end 51 where it is of reduced cross-section.

It will be apparent that at low air volumes or pressure, valve plate 355 will close off communication between the inletfS and space 9 as shown in Figure 4 and all the air will pass through the Venturi tube. Regardless of the position of valve plate 35', a small amount of air always passes directly from inlet to outlet through passageway 49. This construction insures quick operation of the atomizer so that air carrying atomized oil will almost immediately upon starting the atomizer, be discharged from the outlet. In this construction, the baffle plate 44 may be omitted since the air, containing liquid leaving the Venturi tube, impinges against the inside wall of cylinder 17 thereby further atomizing the liquid. Any droplets which are not atomized can drain back into the bowl through the bottom of cylinder 17' and through hole 23 -It will be apparent that the amount of liquid contained in the aircharged to the working locus is governed by .plug 39'.

The modification shown in Figures and 6 differs from that shown in Figures 3 and 4 in that the air control for the Venturi tube 45 is a circular stem 53 which is adapted at its inner end to fit snugly against the inner end of the Venturi tube in order to completely close it ofii when the .stem is screwed inwardly a sufficient distance. The stem is threaded through a packing gland 55 in the top of cap 1' and passes through a snug opening in the top of cylinder 17". The top of stem 53 is fitted with a bent rod 57 of such length that the end 59 thereof abuts against the top of the cap when the stem is in fully closed position, or if desired, the end 59 may be made to abut against the top of the cap before the air passage is fully closed. The end 59 also indicates the extent of opening of the Venturi passage.

The threaded opening 59' may or may not be closed with a threaded plug either solid or one having a passageway 'therethrough similar to that shown in Figures 3 and 4 in order to change the ratio of air and liquid passing through 59 to that passing downward through cylinder 17.

The diameter of the outlet end of the Venturi tube and of the lower end of stem 53 are somewhat smaller than that of cylinder 17 so as to permit air containing atomized liquid to circulate freely around the stem and leave the cylinder through opening 59'. It will be apparent that as the stem is screwed upwardly, a larger volume of air is permitted to pass through the Venturi and hence a large amount of liquid is contained in the air discharged through outlet 7.

I The area of greatest atomization is in the center of the cone of air leaving the outlet of the Venturi. This portion of the air passes directly through opening 59.

The outer portion of the air cone emerging from the Venturi strikes the inner wall of cylinder 17" and the droplets or liquid fall back into bowl 3.

The bowl 3 in each modification is preferably made of transparent plastic material, but may be made of metal and is formed with an upper flanged edge 61. A gasket 63 fits up against shoulder 15 and a spacer bearing ring as fits up against the gasket 63 (Figure 5) or against battle plate 4d (Figure l). The bearing ring has a flange against which the flanged edge 61 of the bowl abuts. A second gasket 67 is placed between the ring 65 and bowl flange at. The -bottom end of cap 1 is threaded internally to receive threaded lock nut 69. The upper face of lock nut 69 is formed with a plurality of recesses 7i equally spaced around the surface to receive ball bearings The recesses are of sufiicient size to allow the ball bearing to freely rotate therein. The depth of the recesses is slightly less than the diameter of the ball bearings so that the ball bearings extend above the upper surface of the lock nut and bear against the retaining ring 76 when the nut is screwed tightly. The lower portion 77 of the lock nut is preferably hexagon-shaped in order to permit it to be tightened with a wrench. This construction enables the lock nut to be easily loosened and tightened thereby permitting rapid assembly and disassembly of the unit.

Figure 7 shows a slightly difierent assembly for seaming the bowl to the cap portion. Instead of forming the upper surface of the lock nut 69 with recesses which accommodate ball bearings, the upper surface is formed with a series of case-hardened conical-shaped bosses 79 spaced around the periphery thereof The lock may have two recesses 81 opposite each other to receive a locking pin when a spanner wrench is used to loosen or tighten the nut.

Figure 8 represents still another modification. This modification closely resembles the modification shown in Figures 1 and '2, diit'ering therefrom in that a needle valve 83 in axial alignment with the Venturi tube 41 is substituted for adjustment screw 39 to control the volume of air passing through the Venturi. The needle valve has a hexagonal recess in its upper end 85 in order to enable it to be turned by means of an Allen wrench. The needle valve is threaded into cylinder 17 at 87 and is sealed against leakage by the packing gland 89 and jam packing nut 91. A knurled cap 93 is threaded onto the top of the cap portion 1 so as to conceal the top of the needle valve and prevent tampering therewith after it has been set. i

Atomizers in accordance with my invention can be made in various sizes. To illustrate the range of volume of air or other gas which can be handled efliciently, a small size atomizer will operate efficiently with volumes of 5 to cubic feetper minute with a spring having a tension set to permit from 5 to 25 cubic feet per minute to pass through the atomizer with the air retainer in closed position and to cause full opening of the air retainer or valve plate at an air volume of 125 cubic feet per minute.

tomizers of this capacity can be designed to operate on an air supply under ZO to 125 pounds per square inch.

It will be apparent that the amount of lubricant or coolant syphonedthr'ough tube 43 will depend on the volume of air per unit time passing through the Venturi. For any pre-set'position of the adjustment screws 39, 39', 53 or 83, the ratio of volume of air passing through the Venturi and by-passing it will be substantially constant within the limits of capacity of the atomizer for any given set of pressure and temperature conditions under which intake air is charged to the atomizer.

I claim:

1. An atomizing device comprising a cap member having a hollow space therein between an inlet and an outlet, a spring pressedclosure for said inlet normally held in a closed position, said closure having a passageway through which fluid is adapted to pass from the inlet to the outlet when the closure is in the closed position, means providing a substantially closed circuit for passing gas from said inlet to said outlet, said last mentioned means including said passageway, means providing a Venturi tube, and a downwardly opening chambered element vertically mounted in said hollow space, means providing an opening providing communication between said chambered element and said hollow space, a liquid container connected with said cap, and a siphon tube extending from inside of said container and connected to said circuit at the outlet end of said Venturi tube.

2. An atomizing device comprising a cap having a hollow space between an inlet and an outlet, a spring pressed closure for said inlet normally held in a closed position, said closure having a passageway to allow fluid to pass from the inlet to the outlet when the closure is in closed position, means providing a substantially closed circuit for passing gas from said inlet to said outlet and including said passageway and a Venturi tube, a liquid container connected with said cap, a siphon tube extending from inside of said container to the outlet side of said Venturi tube, said means providing said closed circuit also including a hollow cylindrical element vertically disposed in said hollow space, said Venturi tube having its outlet end connected to a side of said cylindrical element, and a manually operable member for controlling the size of the outlet opening of said Venturi tube, said manually operable member comprising a shiftable stem extending through a top of said cylindrical element and adapted to engage the outlet end of said Venturi tube, said stem having a cross sectional area less than the internal cross sectional area of said cylindrical element.

3. An atomizing device comprising a cap member having a hollow space therein between an inlet and an outlet, a shiftable closure member disposed in asid hollow space adjacent said inlet, spring means biasing said closure member for yieldably closing said inlet, means providing a gas circuit having intermediate portions substantially closed from said hollow space and an inlet portion extending through said closure member and communicating with said first mentioned inlet, said gas circuit having an outlet communicating with said hollow space downstream from said closure member, the means providing said gas circuit including a Venturi tube, a hollow cylindrical element vertically mounted in said hollow space and having the upper end thereof closed and the lower end thereof in open communication with the inlet side of said Venturi tube, a liquid supply tube connected with said gas circuit at the discharge end of said Venturi tube so that liquid is drawn from the supply tube and atomized by a gas stream emerging from the Venturi tube, and a closed liquid container receiving said supply tube.

4. A device in accordance with claim 3 including a tubular connection between said first mentioned inlet and said cylindrical element of smaller circumference than said first mentioned inlet and providing said inlet portion of said gas circuit, said closure being slidably mounted on said tubular connection.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4, in which the tubular connection is the Venturi tube.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5 including a manually operable member for controlling the size of the outlet opening of said Venturi tube.

7. A device in accordance with claim 5 in which said cylindrical element has a passageway for establishing direct communication between the inside of said cylindrical element and said hollow space adjacent the first mentioned outlet.

8. A device in accordance with claim 6 in which said manually operable member has a small passageway therethrough, said passageway connecting the outlet end of the Venturi tube with said hollow space adjacent the first mentioned outlet.

9. An atomizing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening providing communication between the chambered element and the hollow space comprises an apertured plug connected with said chambered element adjacent said outlet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,783,273 Beach Dec. 2, 1930 2,135,223 Scheiwer Nov. 1, 1938 2,328,764 Wirth Sept. 7, 1943 2,372,532 Stewart Mar. 27, 1945 2,428,277 Heidbrink Sept. 30, 1947 2,509,090 Faccou May 23, 1950 2,525,652 Cunningham Oct. 10, 1950 2,565,691 Ketelson Aug. 28, 1951 2,572,440 Brush Oct. 23, 1951 2,682,393 Norgren June 29, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 652,562 France Oct. 23, 1928 

